FIRST-AND-10: Pryor's knowledge of offense growing

10. Junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor might be getting to the point where he has more say-so in the Ohio State offense. Coach Jim Tressel said Pryor approached him on the sideline last week, explained a defensive look he was seeing and suggested a play that resulted in a 19-yard dig-route for a first down. Tressel joked in regard to his assistant coaches in the press box calling plays, "And all of a sudden (Pryor) came back and called the next play and I thought, 'Man, we've got all you other guys up there, what do I need you for?' "

9. Of course, Tressel was not serious. He isn't about to bring offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and running backs coach Doc Tressel down out of the box because Pryor can handle the looks by himself. That Pryor has matured and grown enough as a quarterback to recognize certain things, call a play in accordance to what the defense is showing and adjust on the fly is a major step in his development. Remember, this is the same kid who two years ago showed wasn't ready to make such calls when he bounced a quarterback sneak outside vs. Penn State, got stripped of the ball and OSU lost the game.

8. Pryor admitted he is a different person and player now, based on the fact he is more of a student of the game. He said he watches film almost religiously now, something he rarely did last year and never did as a freshman. Just watching film that is taped high above formations shows looks and tendencies gives Pryor an idea how to attack such defensive sets. If he can adjust on the go, such as audibling off an isolation run up the middle for a quick slant or a post when the defense has nine defenders in the box, OSU's offense becomes all the more dangerous.

7. Tressel also suggested this week Pryor is a more dangerous passer out of the pocket than in, which hasn't been the case this year since most of Pryor's productivity as a passer has been in the pocket. Said Tressel, "When he's out on the edge, now you're a zone defender and you've got to decide, 'Do I have to stay back here under this receiver or who's going to tackle (Pryor).' We have to pressure from a lot of different places. The thing I never want to get caught in is, we only launch from one point. Because if you only launch from one point -- what did Macarthur say? He said 'If they know where we are, they'll blow us up,' and the same thing true for quarterback."

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6. So you can expect Ohio State to move Pryor around more in the future, with throws made both in and out of the pocket. A lot depends on his quad, which should be fine now after not running against Purdue, not running this week against Minnesota and then a week of rest on the off week. Pryor should be in top physical condition heading into the final triumvirate against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan. Those games would also be an ideal time to perhaps give Pryor more say in audibling at the line of scrimmage. He's sharp enough to do that now.

5. This would also be a good week to just sit right tackle J.B. Shugarts, who has missed portions of a few recent games with "sore feet." Tressel said Shugarts is only going to feel better with rest. What better time than to rest him now? Ohio State can move the ball and win at Minnesota without Shugarts, thanks to the emergence of freshman Andrew Norwell. If Shugarts and rest his chronically aching feet this week, rest up more on next week's off week, he should be ready to roll down the stretch when the Buckeyes need him more.

4. On the flip side, getting freshman Corey "Philly" Brown a few more touches might be good this week for the same reason. A true freshman with blazing speed, Brown showed what he could do last week against Purdue with two catches and a slick reverse for 18 yards. Getting Brown a little more confidence could pay big dividends in November. This kid is electric when the ball is in his hands.

3. If it sounds like this week should be used as a tune-up, you're right. Minnesota is not a good team, is working under an interim coach and has got to be lacking in confidence. Ohio State can't sleep-walk through the game, but using the Golden Gophers as a piece of flint to sharpen some things up before a stretch run can't be a bad thing.

2. Ohio State's game plan on defense should be relatively simple -- stop Adam Weber from throwing the ball all around the field. Minnesota doesn't run the ball particularly well, so if they put Weber in second- and third-and-long situations, the Silver Bullets can pin their ears back and attack Weber.

1. Prediction time. Not much different that Purdue. Ohio State 48, Minnesota 7. Maybe worse.